$$$$South Congress (SoCo)
The Continental Club on South Congress in Austin opened in 1955 as a supper club, the city's historic landmark for roots, rockabilly, country.
TipTwo sets nightly with a cover that varies by act. Toni Price's Hippie Hour at 18:30 Tuesdays is the long-running residency to know.
$$$$Downtown / Warehouse District
Stubb's Bar-B-Q on Red River Street in Austin pairs a 2,100-capacity Waller Creek Amphitheater with a roadhouse music room, the city's biggest outdoor stage.
TipOutdoor shows at the amphitheater run year-round, indoor stage holds about 400. Sunday Gospel Brunch with live music is the off-night move.
$$$$Downtown / Warehouse District
ACL Live at the Moody Theater in downtown Austin is the 2,750-seat home of the Austin City Limits public TV taping, the country's longest-running music.
TipACL tapings are free but allocated by lottery. Public shows ticket through ACL Live; balcony and pit both have great sightlines.
$$$$Downtown / Warehouse District
Antone's Nightclub on East 5th Street in Austin is the blues legend Clifford Antone opened in 1975, a 50-year lease extension in November 2025 keeping.
TipDaily 12:00-00:00 with a music calendar at the door. The upstairs is being built out as the Antone's World Famous Museum of the Blues for 2027.
$$$$Downtown / Warehouse District
Mohawk on Red River Street in Austin runs an indoor stage plus a multi-tier outdoor patio, the Red River District anchor for indie, punk, hip-hop.
TipOutdoor stage holds about 850, indoor about 200. Doors typically 19:00 with show at 21:00; tickets via the venue website.
$$$$Downtown / Warehouse District
Empire Control Room on East 7th Street in Austin is the indoor-outdoor venue with the Garage stage, Control Room and a large patio, booking electronic.
TipThe outdoor Garage stage holds the bigger crowds; the indoor Control Room is the smaller dancefloor. Tickets via the venue site.
$$$$East Austin (East Side)
Hotel Vegas on East 6th Street in Austin is the garage-punk and psych bar opened in 2011 in a 1949 building, two stages and a giant patio plus the sister.
TipIndoor and outdoor stages run different acts most nights. Cover is usually low; the patio gets busy from 21:00 on weekends.
$$$$East Austin (East Side)
Sahara Lounge on Webberville Road in East Austin is the funky world music room in the old TC's Lounge, with African, Afrobeat, blues and Brazilian bands.
TipSaturday Africa Night is the long-running headline. Cover varies by act; the outdoor courtyard and stage open most warm weekends.